Randy, as I mentioned in your other thread, that A4l deal on the 1008 would be excellent if, as you said, you wanted 9 output channels(presumably for 7-channel HT plus stereo in another room simultaneously). If seven channels would realistically be sufficient, though, you might consider instead the 808 for $650 or even the 180 for $350 which Steve got and which I've suggested to members a couple times.

It certainly would be better, if the budget was a problem, to spend less on the receiver rather than less on the speakers.

John, it was your suggestion to someone on here that got me to look at the 180. For the price you can't beat it. You really get a upper middle class receiver for the price of a budget receiver. Thanks for making that suggestion. If I had not seen it I would have had to wait a while before purchasing something.